The nation's top chefs told Esquire about 21 fast-food joints they adore, from a California burger chain to the taco shack down the street. Did your favorite fast-food restaurant make the list?

The Winner: In-N-Out Burger

"The hamburger is definitive, greasy but oddly clean-tasting at the same time, and the sauce actually is 'special.' And the shake tastes the way shakes tasted back when I was a kid. It makes me tear up just thinkin' about it." Alton Brown, host of Iron Chef AmericaOrder: One hamburger "Animal Style" and a chocolate shake

More Praise for In-N-Out Burger

"It's the perfect example of classic American fast food. It satisfies my craving for meat, crisp fries, and their special sauce." Thomas Keller, The French Laundry, Yountville, California, and Per Se, New York CityOrder: Cheeseburger, fries "well done," and a Diet Coke

"It's a rite of passage for all visitors to California." Nate Appleman, Pulino's Bar and Pizzeria, New York CityOrder: Two single cheeseburgers, one "Animal Style" and one regular with onions and fries

"The places are incredibly clean. I'm impressed as hell by that. And whatever's in that sauce is tasty." Charlie Palmer, Aureole, New York City, and Charlie Palmer Steak, multiple locationsOrder: Double-double cheeseburger "Animal Style"

Ted's Hot Dogs*

"They have a charcoal grill right next to the register where they grill the dogs. I go to Ted's every time I visit my relatives in Buffalo." Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City, and Gotham Steak, MiamiOrder: Foot-long dog with chili or mustard and relish, fries, and a chocolate shake

*Ted's has been around since 1927 and has eight locations in western New York and Arizona. Visit at tedsonline.com.

Mighty Taco

"My favorite fast-food memory is probably of Mighty Taco. It's a local [Buffalo] chain that I started going to when I was in high school, and we'd hang out there at 2 and 3 a.m. It was the first time I'd had a taco or any kind of Mexican food." Alfred Portale, Gotham Bar and Grill, New York City, and Gotham Steak, Miami

Popeyes

Five Guys

"I ate from Five Guys in Brooklyn Heights last month with my son Luca. He is almost two years old. If my wife isn't home, we'll have a guys' night together and pick up burgers and fries." Brian Bistrong, Braeburn, New York City

Kentucky Fried Chicken

"I treat myself to KFC about three times a year. I love that crunchy fried crust. It's like the crumb on top of crumb cake; the chicken is an afterthought, really." Michael Psilakis, Anthos and Kefi, New York CityOrder: A bucket of fried chicken

Taco Cabana

"I only order the rotisserie chicken (flameante) which is pleasantly seasoned, properly cooked, and comes with some very good ranchero-style pinto beans." Stephan Pyles, Stephan Pyles Restaurant, Dallas

Wendy's

Whataburger

"It's like a fresh, clean, Texas version of McDonald's." Tim Love, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro and Love Shack, Fort Worth, TexasOrder: Whataburger with cheese, bacon, and jalapeños, and two sausage-and-egg taquitos

La Pasadita*

"They use a skirt steak rather than a lesser cut of meat. And I love the way they cook their tongue." Paul Bartolotta, Ristorante Bartolotta, Wauwatosa, WisconsinOrder: Taco di carne asada or taco di lengua (beef tongue)

*Three locations, all on the same block in Chicago, and there are still lines.

Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan*

"Full of flavor, incredibly homey and satisfying." Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill, ChicagoOrder: Tacos of cabeza (a mixture of cheeks, jowls, and other meat from the head of a cow), lengua (beef tongue), the birria  a taco overstuffed with juicy, shredded goat meat